The 20-year-old graduate of the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs and 2017 World Junior Championship MVP starts the season in the AHL when the B-Sens open their inaugural campaign Friday night in Laval. He was chosen by the parent Ottawa Senators in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2015 NHL draft.

In a rinkside interview earlier this week at the Sports Centre that appears on the B-Sens website, Chabot said he's prepared for his professional debut.

"It's a new place and a new start for me, my first year as a pro,” said the six-foot-two, 190-pound rearguard. “Everything is faster here, the guys are older, bigger, stronger and more experienced. That's a new challenge and something I feel ready for.”

Chabot said Ottawa head coach Guy Boucher was specific about the parts of his game he needs to focus on during his rookie pro season in Belleville.

"I need to work on the small details in my own zone,” said Chabot. “It's a new challenge and a whole lot different from junior, but I feel ready.”

In a story on the AHL website, Chabot is tabbed by NHL.com correspondent Patrick Williams as one of five key rookies to watch in North America's top minor-pro loop this season.

Says Williams:

"Ottawa management envisions Chabot as a major part of their future, but that will wait for now. An AHL assignment for the Senators first-round selection in 2015 will provide him with ample playing minutes and less pressure than trying to learn the pro game in the NHL.”

Along with his WJC MVP award last season, the highly-decorated Chabot — a native of Ste. Marie-de-Beauce, QC — was the QMJHL Playoff MVP and winner of the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the league's most outstanding defenceman.

In his final season of major junior with Saint John, Chabot collected 10 goals and 45 points in 34 games. In 18 playoff games he had 5-18-23 scoring totals, helping the Sea Dogs capture the QMJHL title and advance to the Memorial Cup in Windsor.

He dressed for one game for Ottawa last season.

• Need to know: The other players included in the Five Rookies To Watch story on the AHL website are all forwards — Zach Aston-Reese, 23, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins; Luke Kunin, 19, Iowa Wild; Nick Schilkey, 23, Charlotte Checkers; and Mike Vecchione, 24, Lehigh Valley Phantoms.